TIGER to OSM Attribute Map

TIGER attributes were changed in 2007. This mapping should not be applied to newer TIGER data. It does represent the mapping used in the original 2007/8 TIGER import.

The TIGER to OSM Attribute Map was one of the key details which needed to be figured out as part of the TIGER 2005 data importing efforts. It is not clear whether this page matches exactly with the scripts that were run in 2007 and 2008, but those interested can view the Ruby scripts linked on the TIGER 2005 page, located here.

Base Attribute Pairs

Feature Name

TIGER names are split across four fields (:fedirp, :fename, :fetype, :fedirs) containing direction prefix ("NE"), name ("72nd"), type ("Ave"), and direction suffix ("W"). All fields are optional, and it if one is present it must be the :fename field. All four fields together form the name of the feature ("NE 72nd Ave W"). TIGER features may have more than one name. Find the abbreviated prefixes (e.g. blvd) in Appendix D of The 2000 TIGER/Line Technical documentation
Names are defined per link, and so can be inconsistent (slight differences in spacing, abbreviation, etc.), especially for very long roads.

Name components should be preserved to enable the OSM to be used as a geocoding dataset.

In pseudocode:

OSM Key

TIGER Field

Example

name

"#{fedirp} #{fename} #{fetype} #{fedirs}".strip

"NW Chester St S"

name_direction_prefix

fedirp

"NW", "Southwest"

name_base

fename

"Chester"

name_type

fetype

"Street", "Ave"

name_direction_suffix

fedirs

"S"

For each additional name:

OSM Key

TIGER Field

name_1

"#{fedirp} #{fename} #{fetype} #{fedirs}".strip

name_direction_prefix_1

fedirp

name_base_1

fename

name_type_1

fetype

name_direction_suffix_1

fedirs

et cetera.

Address Ranges

TIGER road features have one or more associated address ranges. These should be preserved to enable the OSM to be used as a geocoding dataset.

Should adjacent TIGER features which are part of the same road be made into a single contiguous way? If we don't do this, we'll be back to a similar situation to where we were when there were no ways, only segments. Here's an example of how directly relating TIGER features looks when rendered.

If the features are combined into a single way, how to we preserve addressing information?

OSM Key

TIGER Field

from_address_right

fraddr

to_address_right

toaddr

from_address_left

fraddl

to_address_left

toaddl

zip_left

zipl

zip_right

zipr

For each additional address range:

OSM Key

TIGER Field

from_address_right_1

fraddr

to_address_right_1

toaddr

from_address_left_1

fraddl

to_address_left_1

toaddl

zip_left_1

zipl

zip_right_1

zipr

et cetera

Preserved TIGER fields

The Tiger Line ID (tlid) as well as the TIGER start and end zero-cell fields, and maybe the raw CFCC should be preserved, just for the hell of it.
For each additional address range:

OSM Key

TIGER Value

Note

tiger:tlid

tlid

tiger:tzid

tzids

applied to first node in way

tiger:tzid

tzide

applied to last node in way

tiger:cfcc?

cfcc?

Misc Attribute Pairs

Key

Value

Notes

source

tiger_import_#{date}n

eg. tiger_import_20070127

reviewed

no

tiger:reviewed=no was set on all ways in the TIGER import. It is intended as a way of tracking TIGER fixup progress. However it does not succeed in this aim and is largely pointless.

Some people remove this tag to indicate that they have reviewed (and perhaps corrected) the imported TIGER data. Some people set the value to yes. Some people set the value to 'aerial', indicating that they used aerial imagery to check/fix the location.

There is some support within JOSM and Potlatch for differing displays according to this tag.

However TIGER fixup is quite laborious enough without having to fiddle with this tag, so many people don't bother doing anything, in order to make faster progress with the fixup itself. Others object to the tag since it implies a process of review and "moderation" of edits, which does not exist (and we're proud that it doesn't exist). Some people don't modify the tag because they simply don't know about it. All this means that the tag is not an accurate indication of anything, and developers of tools such as TIGER Edited Map have developed different more reliable ways of seeing areas which need fixup.

TIGER CFCC to OSM Attribute Pair

The following is a map of TIGER Census Feature Class Codes (CFCCs) to a set of OSM key/value pairs, for use providing some default annotation to OSM data imported directly from TIGER. The map is encoded in valid Ruby. A complete list of CFCCs with their descriptions can be found in the TIGER/Line Technical Documentation (PDF link), and a list of currently used OSM key/value pairs can be found at Map Features.

New Attributes for TIGER

Not all keys used in the map are currently cited in Map Features. In order to preserve the information in the TIGER/line CFCC code, the following additions may be necessary:

:tiger:separated - In the OSM the separation of the road is an implicit property of the highway type, where the TIGER CFCC has different * codes for separated and unseparated highways of the same highway class.

:rail + :highway - TIGER has a CFCC for a highway with a railroad running down the middle. In the OSM this could be modeled by a Way with both a :rail and a :highway tag.

Map

Roads

Primary roads with limited access

Interstate highways and some toll highways are in this category (A1) and are distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These highways are accessed by way of ramps and have multiple lanes of traffic. The opposing traffic lanes are divided by a median strip. The TIGER/Line files may depict these opposing traffic lanes as two distinct lines in which case, the road is called separated.

Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, with rail line in center

:highway => :motorway, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail

A19

Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, bridge

:highway => :motorway, :bridge => :yes

Primary roads without limited access

This category (A2) includes nationally and regionally important highways that do not have limited access as required by category A1. It consists mainly of US highways, but may include some state highways and county highways that connect cities and larger towns. A road in this category must be hard-surface (concrete or asphalt). It has intersections with other roads, may be divided or undivided, and have multi-lane or single-lane characteristics.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

A21

Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated

:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :no

A22

Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, in tunnel

Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, with rail line in center

:highway => :primary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail

A29

Primary road without limited access, US highways, bridge

:highway => :primary, :bridge => :yes

Secondary and connecting road

This category (A3) includes mostly state highways, but may include some county highways that connect smaller towns, subdivisions, and neighborhoods. The roads in this category generally are smaller than roads in Category A2, must be hardsurface (concrete or asphalt), and are usually undivided with single-lane characteristics. These roads usually have a local name along with a route number and intersect with many other roads and driveways.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

A31

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no

A32

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, in tunnel

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :tunnel => :yes

A33

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, underpassing

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :layer => -1

A34

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, unseparated, with rail line in center

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :no, :railway => :rail

A35

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes

A36

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated, in tunnel

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :tunnel => :yes

A37

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated, underpassing

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :layer => -1

A38

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highway, separated, with rail line in center

:highway => :secondary, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail

A39

Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, bridge

:highway => :secondary, :bridge => :yes

Local, neighborhood, and rural roads

A road in this category (A4) is used
for local traffic and usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. In an
urban area, this feature is a neighborhood road and street that is not a
thorough-fare belonging in categories A2 or A3. In a rural area, this is a
short-distance road connecting the smallest towns; the road may or may not
have a state or county route number. Scenic park roads, unimproved or
unpaved roads, and industrial roads are included in this category. Most
roads in the United States are classified as A4 roads.

Proposal: A4x would be better as "unclassified" than as "residential"

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

A41

Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated

:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :no

A42

Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, in tunnel

Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, with rail line in center

:highway => :residential, :tiger:separated => :yes, :railway => :rail

A49

Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, bridge

:highway => :residential, :bridge => :yes

Vehicular trail

A road in this category (A5) is usable only by four-wheel
drive vehicles, is usually a one-lane dirt trail, and is found almost exclusively
in very rural areas. Sometimes the road is called a fire road or
logging road and may include an abandoned railroad grade where the
tracks have been removed. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars
and trucks belong in category A4, not A5.

Roads with special characteristics

This category (A6) includes roads, portions of a road, intersections of a road, or the ends of a road that are parts of the vehicular highway system and have separately identifiable characteristics.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

A60

Special road feature, major category used when the minor category could not be determined

:highway => :unclassified

A61

Cul-de-sac, the closed end of a road that forms a loop or turn-around

:highway => :unclassified, :noexit => :yes

A62

Traffic circle, the portion of a road or intersection of roads forming a roundabout

:highway => :unclassified, :junction => :roundabout

A63

Access ramp, the portion of a road that forms a cloverleaf or limitedaccess interchange

:highway => :motorway_link

A64

Service drive, the road or portion of a road that provides access to businesses, facilities, and rest areas along a limited-access highway; this frontage road may intersect other roads and be named

:highway => :unclassified, :note => :frontage

Subject to some debate. Perhaps needs a :highway => :frontage tag.

A65

Ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water that connects roads on opposite shores; used by ships carrying automobiles or people

:route => :ferry

A66

Gated barrier to travel

:highway => :gate

A67

Toll booth barrier to travel

:highway => :toll_booth

Road as other thoroughfare

A road in this category (A7) is not part of the vehicular highway system. It is used by bicyclists or pedestrians, and is typically inaccessible to mainstream motor traffic except for privateowner and service vehicles. This category includes foot and hiking trails located on park and forest land, as well as stairs or walkways that follow a road right-of-way and have names similar to road names.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

A70

Other thoroughfare, major category used when the minor category could not be determined

:highway => :unclassified

A71

Walkway or trail for pedestrians, usually unnamed

:highway => :footway

A72

Stairway, stepped road for pedestrians, usually unnamed

:highway => :steps

A73

Alley, road for service vehicles, usually unnamed, located at the rear of buildings and property

:highway => :service

A74

Private road or drive for service vehicles, usually privately owned and unnamed. Primary type of use is for access to oil rigs, farms, or ranches

:highway => :unclassified, :access => :private

A75

Internal U.S. Census Bureau use

no mapping

Railroads

Main line

Railroad Main Line A railroad in this category is the primary track that
provides service between destinations. A main line track often carries the
name of the owning and operating railroad company.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

B11

Railroad main track, not in tunnel or underpassing

:railway => :rail

B12

Railroad main track, in tunnel

:railway => :rail, :tunnel => :yes

B13

Railroad main track, underpassing

:railway => :rail, :layer => -1

B14

Abandoned/inactive rail line with tracks present

:railway => :disused

B15

Abandoned rail line with grade, but no tracks

:railway => :abandoned

B16

Abandoned rail line with track and grade information unknown

:railway => :abandoned

could use some distinction from B15

B19

Railroad main track, bridge

:railway => :rail, :bridge => :yes

Spur

A railroad in this category is the track that leaves the main
track, ending in an industrial park, factory, or warehouse area, or forming
a siding along the main track.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

B21

Railroad spur track, not in tunnel or underpassing

:railway => :spur

B22

Railroad spur track, in tunnel

:railway => :spur, :tunnel => :yes

B23

Railroad spur track, underpassing

:railway => :spur, :layer => -1

B29

Railroad spur track, bridge

:railway => :spur, :bridge => :yes

Railroad Yard

A railroad yard track has parallel tracks that form a
working area for the railroad company. Train cars and engines are
repaired, switched, and dispatched from a yard.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

B31

Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing

:railway => :yard

B32

Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing

:railway => :yard, :tunnel => :yes

B33

Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing

:railway => :yard, :layer => -1

B39

Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing

:railway => :yard, :bridge => :yes

Railroad with Special Characteristics

A railroad or portions of a railroad
track that are parts of the railroad system and have separately
identifiable characteristics.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

B40

Railroad ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water used by ships carrying train cars to connecting railroads on opposite shores. These are primarily located on the Great Lakes.

:railway => :rail, :route => :ferry

Railroad as Other Thoroughfare

A rail line that is not part of the railroad
system. This category is for a specialized rail line or railway that is
typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

B50

Other rail line; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined

:railway => :unknown

B51

Streetcars, trolleys, and other mass transit systems

:railway => :light_rail

B52

Cog railroad, incline railway, or logging tram

:railway => :incline

Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Category Unknown

Source materials do not allow determination of the miscellaneous ground transportation category.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

C00

Miscellaneous ground transportation, not road or railroad; major and minor categories unknown

import without attributes

Pipeline

Enclosed pipe, carrying fluid or slurry, situated above ground, or in special conditions, below ground when marked by a cleared right-ofway and signage.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

C10

Pipeline; major category used alone

:man_made => :pipeline

Power Transmission Line

High voltage electrical line, on towers, situated on cleared right-of-way.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

C20

Power transmission line; major category used alone

:power => :line

Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Special Characteristics

A portion of a ground transportation system that has separately identifiable characteristics. This category is for specialized transportation, usually confined to a local area, that is separate from other ground transportation.

CFCC

Description

OSM Attributes

Notes

C30

Other ground transportation that is not a pipeline or a power transmission line; major category used alone when minor category could not be determined

import without attributes

C31

Aerial tramway, monorail, or ski lift

:aerialway => :unknown

C32

Pier/dock a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats